Compressed air is not fundamentally clean, like the ambient environment from which it is pulled. The air in your compressor system contains a range of particles, aerosols, and vapors that can taint end processes and products while also harming machinery and other equipment. Here’s where compressed air filters come in!
Compressed air filtration is an essential component of your compressed air system. Installing and maintaining the appropriate compressed air filters helps assure a continuous supply of clean air to your operations and reduces pressure drop. An industrial air compressor would need intake filters to remove impurities from entering air and an inline filter to remove particles, oil carryover, residual moisture, and smells from released compressed air.
If you have an oil-flooded rotary screw, rotary vane, or reciprocating compressor, you will most certainly require many stages of compressed air filtration. Follow these instructions to choose the best air compressor filters for your system.
Things to Know Before You Choose a Compressed Air Filter
Filtration Efficiency
The filtration efficiency of a compressor air filter is measured by its Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the filter is at capturing particles.
Airflow
The airflow rate is the amount of air that passes through the filter in a given period. It is important to choose a filter that can handle the required airflow rate for your compressed air system.
Pressure Drop
The pressure drop is the drop in air pressure across the filter. A high-pressure drop can negatively impact the efficiency of your compressed air filter.
Environmental Factors
Consider the environmental factors of your compressed air system, including temperature, humidity, and the presence of oil or water in the air.
Which Filter Is Right for My Air Compressor?
Different applications need different levels of filtration, so you must thoroughly understand your application before selecting the appropriate type of filter for your compressed air system.
You should also consider whether oil can damage your process or whether any oil can still be present in the air. If your application is oil-sensitive, adding an inline coalescing filter can help reduce the amount of harmful oil that comes into contact with your end use.
Consider how vital energy efficiency is for your facility! Low energy use means low electricity costs, and who doesn’t appreciate that? High-efficiency filters may provide exceptionally clean air (removing pollutants smaller than 0.01 microns) while reducing pressure drop.
When should I replace my compressed air filter?
When to change a filter is determined by factors such as the hours of operation of your air compressor and the needed quality of compressed air; pressure drop can also signal that a filter needs to be replaced. Consider these four questions before deciding whether to replace a compressed air filter:
- Has the manufacturer’s service life expired?
- Has an air audit indicated that the air quality is below acceptable standards?
- Is the pressure drop above tolerable levels?
- Do pressure dips reach the manufacturer’s change point?
Answering yes to any of these questions suggests that it is time for a new filter. You should also consider changing filter components before the suggested pressure drop or air quality concerns arise, since the higher energy cost from lower air pressure may be more than the cost of a new filter.Are you interested in learning more about our compressed air filters? Contact us at GTS Filters and Systems now.